"There is a long way to go and we have too many games to the end but, when you lose points like that, it will be really difficult to fight for the title," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"When you have a defeat like this, you want to play as quickly as you can but we now go into an international break and then we will face Tottenham at home, which will be a crucial game for us."

Zabaleta, Jesus Navas and Edin Dzeko were all introduced in the second half at the Stadium of Light as City searched for an equaliser but to no avail. However, the Argentina international is more concerned about the club's inability to keep a clean sheet than their forward line.

"It is true we cannot keep a clean sheet and, when you play away, you must defend much better and try not to concede goals," he continued. "It's not happening, every time we play away.

"We need to focus on what we are doing at the moment and improve our performances away."